The New York Observer » Bill Perkins

Perkins: Obama’s Speech a ‘Twofer’ for Harlem

President Barack Obama's decision to hold last night's $30,000-a-plate fundraiser in Harlem had the added benefit of getting the neighborhood some exposure while helping to replenish the Democratic National Committee's warchest, according to State Senator Bill Perkins.

"These people are pretty sophisticated and well-endowed financially but also may not have known of the place called the Read More

Opponents In Rangel Senate District Will Meet At The Plaza

Both Bill Perkins and Basil Smikle, who are currently running against one another for a state Senate seat in Harlem. will be attending Charlie Rangel's birthday fundraiser tonight at the Plaza Hotel, both campaigns have confirmed.

This is not a huge surprise. Rangel remains overwhelmingly popular in Central Harlem, where the 30th State Senate district is Read More

Smikle Rallies Around Rangel

Basil Smikle, a political consultant trying to upend incumbent Democratic state Senator Bill Perkins in a closely watched primary, said today that he is standing by embattled Congressman Charlie Rangel.

"For me, personally, Charlie is a hero, and I want to be able to support a hero," Smikle said. "If anyone has any issue with Read More

Further Parsing Perkins/Smikle Filings

A source from Basil Smikle's State Senate campaign responded to our post about his race against incumbent Bill Perkins (a proxy fundraising battle, we argued, between the teachers union and charter school advocates) by pointing out that Smikle actually bested Perkins in fundraising this period, despite only being in the race for two Read More

Perkins Says His Race Is Not About Charter Schools, Bloomberg

State Senator Bill Perkins received the endorsement today of the last two men to run against Mike Bloomberg--Fernando Ferrer and Bill Thompson--in his re-election campaign against Basil Smilke.

And Perkins is running against City Hall as well, in a sense, since he is opposed by many in the charter school movement, which has received Read More

Perkins Under Fire, But at Least Rangel Backs Him

Bill Perkins is facing loud criticism today for his opposition to charter schools, with negative coverage in the New York Post, a television ad slamming him, and loud protesters waving signs directed at him outside 250 Broadway.He's up for re-election this year, so it's not really a good time for Read More

Perkins: Paterson ‘Knows How This Investigation Will End’

On Brian Lehrer's radio show this morning, State Senator Bill Perkins gave a grim assessment of David Paterson's situation:

Normally, I would say let the investigation run its course. However, these are not normal times.
The state is in the midst of a fiscal crisis. A leadership crisis. And there is a crisis of Read More

‘Strength Through Struggle’

I'm waiting for State Senator Bill Perkin's press conference at 250 Broadway right now, and spotted this sign on State Senator Malcolm Smith's door, saying the theme of the week is "strength through struggle." Wonder how that theme is going over on the second floor of the capitol in Albany right now.

Who Has the Right to Say What’s Blight? Bill Perkins vs. ESDC Darling

State Senator Bill Perkins is apparently not happy about the state's choice of consultants.

One consultant, specifically: AKRF, the New York–based firm that has established itself as the unchallenged king of environmental review in the city and state, dominating the field of government contracts.

The source of angst for Mr. Perkins is Columbia University's Read More

Perkins Will Lead Statewide Crusade for Eminent Domain Reform

As far as Bill Perkins is concerned, the issue of eminent domain has got legs.

"It's really a corruption of our notion of democracy," said Perkins, a Democratic state senator who represents Harlem. He was speaking Saturday at a Pentecostal church on 125th Street. The room was one-third filled by people who are concerned about Read More

Perkins to Paterson: Don’t Appeal Columbia Decision, Reform Eminent Domain

Harlem state senator asks Paterson for moratorium on land takings, no appeal in Columbia Read More

Agreement Reached on Authorities Reform

ALBANY—Assemblyman Richard Brodsky just swung by to announce an agreement between legislative leaders and David Paterson to increase oversight of public authorities.

"It's an idea that is about the control of rogue institutions. I've called them Soviet-style bureaucracies. This is the end of that era," Brodsky said. "For people worried about debt reform or Read More

As an Agent of Their Embarrassment Gets Promoted, Senators Ask ‘What’s Going On’

ALBANY—John Flateau would be a reasonable fall guy given the current state of things in State Senate's Democratic conference, whose hiring practices are now a punchline.

But Flateau, who unilaterally signed off on the hiring of Pedro G. Espada, will be transitioned full-time onto the Senate payroll. He is currently an hourly employeeRead More

Walder, Walder’s Pay, Will Face Senate Hearings

CHESTERTOWN—Key state senators say the nomination of Jay Walder to lead the M.T.A. will likely be considered when the legislature reconvenes this fall--after hearings.

State Senator Martin Malave Dilan, chairman of the chamber's transportation committee, said he will likely hold a hearing, and said State Senator Bill Perkins is planning to do the same Read More

Finally, Mayoral Control Passes the Senate

ALBANY—There were no major surprises, nothing was defeated, and the tweaked version of mayoral school control voted through the State Senate after two hours.

The main Assembly bill passed by a vote of 47 to 8; all four chapter amendments were approved by varying margins, with 15 senators opposing the creation of Read More